Charles stated:
First lets look at this a bit closer. Notice that the testimony of Paul is that he Keeps the law, all of it. He enters the Nazzarite vow, takes part in it "Purifying himself" And sacrifice was given or all of them, which includes Paul. And Paul has no problem with this.
HT:
Let's take a closer look at the above statement:
Acts 18
18 And having remained many days more, having taken leave of the brothers, Paul sailed to Syria, having shaved his head in Cenchrea, for he *had* a vow. And Priscilla and Aquila were with him.
According to rabinic writings, one cuts off his hair when he completes the pre-determined length of his vow. The statement " for he had a vow" is past tense.This shows that he had completed his vow in another place, and not at the temple.
We do know that the four men still had a vow on themselves, but Paul had already terminated his in Cenchrea. We know that he went to the temple with them, and it appears that he paid for the ceremony as well. What was Paul hoping to achieve by all of this? There were many converts that were very zealous for the Law. There had been talk that Paul was becoming Lawless. Paul was in the business of soul winning, and went to great extremes to achieve this.
As a Jewish believer Paul could observe the customs of the Law as in. Acts 18:18, Acts 21:24
A Jewish believer could observe elements of the Law scripturally, provided:
He did not do so seeking justification, for that comes only through the sacrifice of Messiah.
He did not bind it upon others, especially non-Jews who at that time were under the Noachide Law .
Paul clearly stated why he did this in 1 Cor 9:
19 For being free of all, I enslaved myself to all, that I might gain the more.
20 And I became as a Jew to the Jews, that I might gain Jews; to those under Law as under Law, that I might gain those under Law;
21 to those without Law as without Law (not being without Law of God, but under the law of Christ), that I might gain those without Law.
22 I became to the weak as weak, that I might gain the weak. To all I have become all things, that in any and every way I might save some.
23 And I do this for the gospel, that I might become a fellow partaker of it.
And then there is this Scripture:
23 Then do this, what we say to you: There are four men who have a vow on themselves;
24 taking these, be purified with them, and be at expense on them, that they may shave the head. And all shall know that all what they have been told about you is nothing, but you yourself walk orderly, keeping the Law.
25 And as to the believing nations, we joined in writing, judging them to observe no such thing, except to keep themselves from both idol sacrifice, and the blood, and a thing strangled, and from fornication.
The definition of purify:
To cleanse themselves from Levitical pollution by means of prayers, abstinence, washings, sacrifice.
The above shows that there are different definitions of purify. The four men were also at a different stage of their vow than Paul was.
Here are some other scriptures to ponder:
Act 21:27 And when the *seven days* were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
Act 21:30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
Now if I remember correctly, the sacrifice for defilement was performed on the eighth day. Was it the same for completion of the vow? And if so, was the process ever completed?
As illustrated by these scriptures, if a Nazarite was defiled, the sacrifice was performed on the eighth day:
Num 6:10 And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
Num 6:11 And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.
So it appears that Paul did not perform any animal sacrifice. Also there is no where else in NT Scripture that even alludes to any other apostle doing this.
But we do find this in the Hebrew Scriptures:
Genesis 22
9 And they came to the place which God had said to him. And Abraham built there the altar, and arranged the wood. And he bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on the wood.
10 And Abraham put out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the Angel of Jehovah called to him from the heavens and said, Abraham! Abraham! And he said, Behold me.
12 And He said, Do not lay your hand on the boy, nor do anything to him. For now I know that you are a God-fearer, and you have not withheld your son, your only one, from Me.
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked. And behold! A ram behind him was entangled in a thicket by its horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it for a burnt offering instead of his son.
HT:
In this passage God sent a ram to replace Abraham's son, and caused the sacrifice of Isaac to cease. It also appears that He did not allow Paul to partake in any sacrifice, if that was the intent.
Hebrews 7
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us: holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens;
27 who has no need, as do the high priests, to offer sacrifices day by day, first for His own sins, then for those of the people. For He did this once for all, offering up Himself.
28 For the Law makes men high priests who have infirmity, but the word of the oath-taking after the Law appoints the Son to the age, having been perfected.
HT:
The Messiah also instructed of this:
1 Corinthians 11
24 and giving thanks, He broke and said, Take, eat; this is My body which is broken on behalf of you; this do in remembrance of Me.
25 In the same way the cup also, after supping, saying, This cup is the New Covenant in My blood; as often as you drink, do this in remembrance of Me. See Luke 22:19, 20